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Cuba–Ireland relations

Fidel Castro was a sympathiser of the Provisional IRA. During the 1981 Hunger Strike he stated "They have earned the respect and admiration of the world, and likewise they deserve its support. Ten of them have already died in the most moving gesture of sacrifice, selflessness and courage one could ever imagine. Humanity should feel ashamed that this terrible crime is being committed before its very eyes. These young fighters do not ask for independence or make impossible demands to put an end to their strike" In 1981 Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein (political wing of the Provisional IRA) met Castro in Havana.

In 1982, Castro arrived at Shannon Airport in Ireland. He left a gift for then Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Charlie Haughey. Haughey subsequently wrote a letter to Castro saying "The hand-carved casket is most impressive and the cigars will be greatly enjoyed by my family and friends at Christmas" and "Please accept my apologies that I could not be there to greet you in person but I hope that we can meet on some future occasion."

In 1999 Ireland and Cuba established diplomatic relations. Minister for foreign affairs Micheál Martin visited Havana in 2009, with a return visit by his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez in 2010.

In 2016 Ireland signed the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement which promotes dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Cuba. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan stated prior to signing the argeement that "Cuba’s relations with the EU have improved significantly in recent years, and this agreement, the first between the EU and Cuba, will put our relations firmly on a more forward-looking footing."

Following the death of Fidel Castro in 2016 President Higgins stated "Fidel Castro will be remembered as a giant among global leaders whose view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet.”

In February 2017 the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins visited Cuba and met its leader, Raul Castro

Cuba presently has an embassy located on Pearse Street in Dublin.